Scouts step back from divisive decision on gays

A general view of a statue outside the National Scouting Museum on Monday in Irving, Texas. The BSA national council announced they were considering to leave the decision of inclusion of gays to the local unit level. President Barack Obama urged the organization to end a ban on gays.TOM PENNINGTON, GETTY IMAGES

Decision postponed until May

IRVING, Texas (AP) — A decision on whether the Boy Scouts of America will keep its policy that excludes gay members and leaders will not be voted on until the organization's annual meeting in May, the national executive board said Wednesday.

Deron Smith, the BSA director of public relations, said the executive board will prepare a resolution to be voted on by the 1,400 voting members of the national council.

“After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the Scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America's National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy,” Smith said in a statement.

You could call Tom Freeman a traditional values guy.

Church every Sunday. Camping with the family every Memorial Day. A football game every Thanksgiving with the same 17 buddies who played football at Corona del Mar High School more than 35 years ago.

On top of that, he was an Eagle Scout (“Only thing from childhood I ever put on my résumé,” he says) – just like his dad before him.

So last week when he heard the Boy Scouts may drop its policy against allowing gay Scouts or leaders, he says he initially felt “disturbed.”

“This is a longstanding, historical tradition,” Freeman, of Lake Forest, says of the policy. “They should have a right, as an organization, to include or exclude whoever they want.”

How many Americans agree with that is a tough question.

A coalition of Christian-based organizations across the country bought a full-page ad in USA Today this week pressing the Scouts to maintain its ban on gay members.

Locally, retired U.S. Marine Capt. William Kohler of Laguna Hills spoke for more than a few when he emailed the Register to say: “If homosexuals want to belong, then they should start their own Homosexual Boy Scouts of America.”

For many, that attitude is a traditional value. Unwavering. Unyielding.

For others, it is an outdated value. Inappropriate. Bigoted.

“I am appalled that it is still going on,” wrote Lori Alder of Fullerton, a former committee chairwoman with the Cub Scouts. “I wouldn’t even consider purchasing a can of nuts from them a few months ago because of their hateful policy against gays.”

Moral lines have been drawn. The question remains: Is barring gays from the Boy Scouts a traditional value? Or is it hateful?

As someone steeped in the traditional values of Scouting, Tom Freeman says he had to think about that one.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

For 102 years, the Boy Scouts of America has taught our sons to be honest, respectful and trustworthy – to be good citizens.

Along the way, it also barred openly gay Scouts and Scout leaders. In 2000, the group took that fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that the Boy Scouts could maintain its ban.

That’s why last week’s announcement – that the organization’s national executive board may drop the policy at today’s meeting in Irving, Texas – sent shock waves across Scouting.

“It’s a divisive issue,” says Jeff Herrmann, president of Bass’ Orange County Council, which includes 27,000 Scouts. “I hope, wherever this goes, the cure doesn’t become worse than the perceived illness.”

A general view of a statue outside the National Scouting Museum on Monday in Irving, Texas. The BSA national council announced they were considering to leave the decision of inclusion of gays to the local unit level. President Barack Obama urged the organization to end a ban on gays. TOM PENNINGTON, GETTY IMAGES
“I just don't think it goes far enough,” says Kevin O'Grady, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Center in Santa Ana. “If, as an organization, they're saying, ‘Discrimination and bigotry are wrong,' then ban it (discrimination) at the national level. Don't just put it off to local organizations." COURTESY: THE CENTER ORANGE COUNTY
“It's a divisive issue,” says Jeff Herrmann, president of the Orange County Council and its 27,000 scouts. “I hope, wherever this goes, the cure doesn't become worse than the perceived illness.” COURTESY BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Boy Scout Troop 3 of Orange County has its photo taken while attending the National Jamboree in 1953 on the Irvine Ranch, now the location of Fashion Island. COURTSEY OF THE IRVINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
It was called the largest gathering of youth in history. The 1953 Boy Scout Jamboree drew 50,000 Scouts from 22 nations to Orange County from July 17-23, 1953. They pitched their tents, waded in the ocean and applauded Bob Hope, Debby Reynolds and other entertainers. They put on their own productions. Jamboree Road was named for the event, and where they camped they now shop - at Fashion Island. HANDOUT, COURTESY OF FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE CO.
Boy Scouts carry U.S. flags up Congress Avenue towards the Texas Capitol during the annual Boy Scouts Parade and Report to State on Saturday in Austin, Texas. Gov. Rick Perry says he hopes the Boy Scouts of America doesn't move soften its mandatory no-gays membership policy. ERIC GAY, AP
A Boy Scout wears an Eagle Scot neckerchief during the annual Boy Scouts Parade and Report to State in the House Chambers at the Texas State Capitol, Saturday in Austin, Texas. ERIC GAY, ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this July 2010 photo provided by the Department of Defense, more than 45,000 Boy Scouts salute during the singing of the national anthem as part of the Boy Scouts of America 2010 National Scout Jamboree at Ft. AP Hill, Va. CHERIE CULLEN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tom Freeman of Lake Forest became an Eagle Scout in 1974. He is pictured with the shirt from his uniform from the early '70s. PAUL BERSEBACH, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
These are some of the merit badges earned by Tom Freeman of Lake Forest when he was in the Boy Scouts in the early 1970s. PAUL BERSEBACH, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Tom Freeman of Lake Forest received this letter in July 1974 after he became an Eagle Scout. He was also in the Order of the Arrow, which was an invitation only group within the scouts. He carved the arrow during his time in Scouting. PAUL BERSEBACH, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Tom Freeman of Lake Forest became an Eagle Scout in 1974. He is pictured with the shirt from his uniform from the early '70s. PAUL BERSEBACH, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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